World Triathlon stands in solidarity with the Ukraine Triathlon Family
International governing body World Triathlon has issued a statement regarding the current war in Ukraine…
‘World Triathlon stands in absolute solidarity with the Ukraine triathlon family and the entire country at this time of grave international crisis.
‘We strongly condemn the actions against the country, through which the Russian government also breaches the Olympic Truce. (The respective UN resolution was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 2 December 2021 by consensus of all 193 UN Member States. The Olympic Truce began seven days before the start of the Olympic Games, on 4 February 2022, and ends seven days after the closing of the Paralympic Games.)
‘World Triathlon is contacting all national federations, especially those closest to Ukraine or that border with the country, as well as Triathlon Europe, to help coordinate our support.
‘We have been contacted by several national federations and event organisers willing to give their support where they can. The organisers of the Lievin Europe Triathlon Cup have offered free accommodation to Ukrainian athletes and support [to] personnel registered to attend the event, an offer that can be extended for as long as necessary if those individuals would prefer to remain there for an extended period after the race.
‘The National Federation of Latvia has identified and contacted some families of Latvian triathletes that are willing to host, temporarily, triathletes, coaches or officials from Ukraine.
‘World Triathlon has set up an email account (welcome[at]triathlon.org) where any member of the triathlon community in Ukraine that is leaving the country or is willing to do so, can reach out to find families in other countries that are willing to host them. The email address is also available for all prospective host persons anywhere in the world who can offer their support to those fleeing Ukrainian. World Triathlon will keep all contacts confidential but will help to put the parties in touch with each other.
‘World Triathlon has contacted the IOC task force monitoring the situation to offer our help to coordinate humanitarian assistance to members of the Olympic Community in Ukraine – and more specifically the Ukrainian triathlon family – where possible. We will continue to closely monitor the situation in Ukraine and how it affects our community and events in the region, and we stand with them all.
‘Athletes, officials, coaches, staff and the TriathlonLive support [personnel] based in Ukraine… you all have all our support and we stand with you in these terrible times. Stay safe and take care.’
